Is Paterson Safe?
With an overall crime index of 119, Paterson has a 19% higher crime rate than the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 221. However, safety varies dramatically by neighborhood, with areas like Hillcrest earning an A- grade while Wrigley Park rates D.
Crime Index Comparison
Paterson
New Jersey Avg
National Avg
100 = national average. Higher values indicate more crime.
Crime Index
119
19% above average
Violent Crime
113
13% above average
Property Crime
120
20% above average
Safe Areas
71%
Neighborhoods rated A or B
Your chance of violent crime in Paterson
1 in 221
Property crime: 1 in 208
Where Is It Safe in Paterson?
Safest Neighborhoods
1
A-
2
A-
3
A-
4
B+
5
B+
6
B+
7
B
8
B
9
B-
10
B-
Hillcrest
Median income: $83,088
Eastside Park
Median income: $82,594
Lakeview
Median income: $55,768
Stoney Road
Median income: $53,134
People's Park
Median income: $42,058
Totowa
Median income: $41,992
Riverside
Median income: $47,641
South Paterson
Median income: $40,604
Downtown Paterson
Median income: $27,611
Sandy Hill
Median income: $33,581
Explore the Interactive Crime Map
See neighborhood-level heatmap
Check Registered Offenders
Search offenders near any address
Paterson Crime Breakdown
Highest Risk
Vehicle Theft · 37% above avg
Lowest Risk
Assault · 2% below avg
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Murder Violent | 123 | ▲ 23% | |
| Assault Violent | 98 | ▼ 2% | |
| Robbery Violent | 117 | ▲ 17% | |
| Burglary Property | 105 | ▲ 5% | |
| Larceny / Theft Property | 119 | ▲ 19% | |
| Vehicle Theft Property | 137 | ▲ 37% |
Violent vs Property Crime
Neighborhood Safety Distribution
All Paterson Neighborhoods
| # | Neighborhood | Grade | Crime Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hillcrest | A- | 58 |
| 2 | Eastside Park | A- | 51 |
| 3 | Lakeview | A- | 91 |
| 4 | Stoney Road | B+ | 102 |
| 5 | People's Park | B+ | 97 |
| 6 | Totowa | B+ | 107 |
| 7 | Riverside | B | 109 |
| 8 | South Paterson | B | 132 |
| 9 | Downtown Paterson | B- | 136 |
| 10 | Sandy Hill | B- | 139 |
| 11 | Manor Section | C+ | 138 |
| 12 | Northside | C | 166 |
| 13 | Bunker Hill | C- | 171 |
| 14 | Wrigley Park | D | 165 |
Paterson Crime by Zip Code
Paterson Demographics & Cost of Living
Population
145,484
Median Income
$45,141
Home Value
$257,305
Median Rent
$1,213
Home Ownership
26%
Racial Demographics
White
27.8%
Black
30.1%
Hispanic
63.2%
Asian
3.5%
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Paterson?
Paterson has an overall crime index of 119, which is above the national average of 100. Approximately 71% of neighborhoods in Paterson are rated A or B for safety.
Is Paterson safe to live in?
Paterson has a crime safety grade of C+. Higher than average crime. Safety varies significantly by neighborhood, so it is important to research specific areas before moving.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Paterson?
The safest neighborhoods in Paterson based on crime data include Hillcrest, Eastside Park, Lakeview, Stoney Road, and People's Park. These areas have the lowest crime indices in the city.
How does Paterson crime compare to the national average?
Paterson's overall crime index is 119 compared to the national average of 100, meaning crime is 19% higher than the typical US city.
Crime Statistics for Nearby Cities
New York, NY
Brooklyn, NY
Queens, NY
Manhattan, NY
Bronx, NY
Staten Island, NY
Newark, NJ
Jersey City, NJ
North Hempstead, NY
Yonkers, NY
Paterson, NJ
Ramapo, NY
Elizabeth, NJ
Edison, NJ
Woodbridge, NJ
Greenburgh, NY
Clarkstown, NY
Clifton, NJ
New Rochelle, NY
Passaic, NJ
Union City, NJ
Mount Vernon, NY
Bayonne, NJ
East Orange, NJ
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